Ratchet-wrench.



PATENTED FEB.11, 1908. A. MUNCH. RATE/'HET WRENCH.

ARTI-TUR MUNCH, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA. j

RATCHET-WBENCI-I.

Specification of Letters Patent,

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

Application iled January Y2, 1906. Serial No. 294.145.

To all whom Lt 'may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR MUNoH, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ratchet-Wrenches,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ratchet tools its object beingparticularly to provide an improved construction which can be usedeither as a left or right handed device.

To this end my invention consists in the features of construction andcombination hereinafter particularly described and claimed. i A

In the accompanying drawings forming partof this speciiication,Figure 1is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved device; Fig. 2 is asection on line -'x of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is aview of a locking plate forming part of the device 5 Fig. 4is a side view of a modified construction; Fig. 5 is a section on liney-y of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a tool holderdesigned to be used in connection with the modified construction. In thedrawings A represents ahandle piece formed with a transverse opening 2.

B represents jaws having inwardly inclined faces slidable in atransverse opening 3 eX- tending through the handle piece across oneside of the main opening 2. The jaws are each provided with acontrolling spring 4 interposed between the outer ends of the jaws andthe plates 5 closing the ends of the opening 3. `Slidable in an opening7 parallel with the jaws B is a block 6 carrying a central pin 8 whichpasses between the jaws B. A friction spring 9 is carried by the blockand bears at its outer side against the adjacent wall of the handlepiece, as shown in Fig. 2. The pressure of the friction spring againstthe adjacent wall holds the block in adjusted positions. By sliding the'block either way one of the jaws B will be carried by the pin 8 to oneside allowing the spring 4 of the other jaw to force said jawl into theopening 2 in position to engage with the tool holder 10. To reverse theaction of the device the block 6 should be oppositely moved in itsopening. The tool holder 10 may be of any suitable construction and heldwithin the opening 2 by means of a locking plate 11-secured to the sideof the handle piece and interlocking with the tool holder as shown inFig. 1.

In the modified construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a single piece aw 12is employed eX- tending entirely through the transverse opening 3 andprojecting beyond the ends thereof. The ends of the jaw incline inwardlyas shown and are serrated along their inner faces. The jaw carries acentrallysupported rearwardly extending pin 13 between one side of whichand the screw 14 in the side of the handle piece is interposed a coilspring 15. A suitable tool holder 16 such as shown in Fig. 6 may bearranged within the opening 2.

In operation the jaw must be pressed to one side by the finger, asillustrated in Fig. 5, to allow the tool holder or stud to be insertedwithin the opening 2. The spring 15 will then hold the adjacent jawortion against the tool holder or stud. n the position shown in Fig. 5the device is ready to be used left-handed. When it is desired to beused right-handed the jaw will be pressed inward and the tool insertedinto the tool-receiving opening from the opposite side.

I claim:-

1'. A device of the class described, consisting of a handle piece formedin one end with a transverse opening, jaw portions slidable across oneside of said opening, said jaw portions having inwardly inclinedserrated inner faces, and spring means interposed between said jawportions and said handle piece,'for

the purpose set forth.

2. A device of the class described cornprising in combination a handlepiece formed in one end with a transverse opening, a pair of4 inwardlyinclined jaws slidably supported in one side of said opening,restraining springs for said jaws, a slidable adjusting block, and meanscarried by said block engaging with said jaws.

3. A device of the class described comprising a handle piece formed inone end with a transverse opening, a pair of serrated jaws slidablysupported in said opening, springs interposed between the outer ends ofsaid jaws and the adjacent walls of the handle piece, a slidable blockalongside said jaws, means carried by said block engaging with the innerends of said jaws, and means for holding said block in adjustedpositions.

4. A device of the class described comapin carried by saidblock andprojecting 10 prising in combination a handle piece provided in one endwith a transverse opening, serrated jaws slidably supported in saidopening, spring means interposed between the outer ends of said jaws andthe adjacent walls of the handle piece, a block slidably su ho pportedalongside said jaws, spring means ding said block in adjusted positions,and

between said jaws, as and for the purpose set forth.

ln testimony whereof I aHiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR MUNCH.

' Witnesses:

H. S. JOHNSON,

EMILY F. OTIs.

